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Tremere promoted to head coaching job

Nicholas Tremere is excited about head coaching role with Grand Falls Rapids

JASON SIMMONDS SPORTS REPORTER jason.simmonds @saltwire.com @JpsportsJason

GRAND FALLS, N.B. — The Grand Falls Rapids turned to a familiar face from Prince Edward Island to fill an important position.

The Rapids recently announced the appointment of 31-year-old Borden-Carleton native Nicholas Tremere as head coach of the Maritime Junior Hockey League team.

“It’s an honour to be able to coach in the league,” said Tremere, who has four years of experience as an assistant coach with the Rapids’ organization. “Now to take the head coaching position, I’m excited about it and looking forward to getting started and working with the guys.”

The son of Ted and Shelley Tremere replaces Charlottetown native Brad MacKenzie, who has been named an assistant coach with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Halifax Mooseheads.

“To be honest, this wasn’t something that was expected or planned,” Tremere told the SaltWire Network in a phone interview. “With Brad moving on to the Mooseheads, the opportunity kind of presented itself, and I decided to take it.”

ISLAND FLAVOUR

The Rapids’ staff will continue to have a Prince Edward Island presence.

Little Pond native and former Summerside Western Capitals forward and team captain Morgan MacDonald will return to the Rapids as an assistant coach for a third season.

Paul Drew of Cornwall will continue as the team’s goaltending coach. “Nich and Morgan have been instrumental ... in getting a program in place the last couple of years that we are really happy with, both on and off the ice,” said Rapids general manager Danny Brawn. “They (bring) a lot of familiarities as far as how we do things, certainly from a players’ standpoint and some continuity with Brad moving on.

“(Nicholas has) earned the opportunity, he’s passionate, he’s a smart guy, a student of the game, and he wants to be a coach.”

NO STRANGER

Tremere is no stranger to the Rapids’ organization, previously known as the Woodstock Slammers. He played 165 regular-season and playoff games over three seasons in Woodstock as a hard-nosed, stay-at-home defenceman and will enter his fifth year behind the bench.

Tremere served as an assistant coach the last four years, including the last two years under MacKenzie in Grand Falls. Before that, he spent two seasons working on the staff of former NHLer Sandy McCarthy — one year in Woodstock and one season in Grand Falls.

“Those were certainly two coaches that were good influences, and I learned a lot from both of them,” said Tremere, a former captain of the Charlottetown Islanders (now Knights) major under-18 team.

MacKenzie said he feels Tremere has earned this opportunity.

“Nich is a tremendous leader and a tremendous guy to take that organization to the next level,” said MacKenzie. “I enjoyed my time working with Nich. His work ethic and dedication to the game are second to none.

“I also think he brings a lot of experience to the league and that group.”

DIFFERENT ROLE

Tremere, who lives near Woodstock in Jacksontown, N.B., and makes the 45-minute commute to Grand Falls, said he’s excited for what he described as a good opportunity. He did acknowledge the role of the head coach is different than an assistant coach. But he feels he’s ready for the challenges.

“The biggest difference comes down to responsibility and accountability for everything that goes on with the team,” said Tremere, who manages the Woodstock Golf and Curling Club. “Day-today wise, everyone has their roles and what they look after, and we all work together.”

MacKenzie said Tremere’s work ethic and personality make him a perfect fit for a head coach. He added Tremere’s attention to detail is top-notch and, emotionally, he doesn’t get too high or low.

“He doesn’t let that affect the decision-making process, which I think is really important as a coach to be able to keep a level head and be logical about the decisions you make,” said MacKenzie. “He sees the big picture, and he’s a great communicator, which is extremely important in coaching as well.

“He’s a guy who does a really good job at building relationships with his players. The guys all respect him. He spends a lot of time with each guy, and he gets to know them on a personal level.

“That goes a long way when you are coaching and pushing them each day.”

Tremere, who played one season at Royal Military College after graduating from the Slammers, is hoping he can draw on his experiences.

“As a player, I got to play with a lot of good hockey players, and I got to play for a lot of good coaches,” said Tremere. “There are a lot of experiences and things I learned along the way that will help me out in this position.”

As for his coaching style, Tremere said he is looking for Grand Falls to play a complete all-around and entertaining game.

“The big thing with me, as a coach, I want us to play with a ton of pace,” said Tremere, a 2008 graduate of Kinkora Regional High School. “I want us to play with a little edge; I want us to be an in-your-face type of hockey team that is tough to play against every night, and we want to be a team that when teams come to Grand Falls, they know it’s not going to be easy.”

That work has already begun, said Tremere. The Rapids are preparing for the league’s annual draft in early July and training camp is expected to open in late summer.

“For me, being able to stay involved in the game is the major thing,” said Tremere. “Obviously, it’s a lot different than playing, but being able to stay involved, work with these guys and help with their development and their time in junior hockey, it’s a lot of fun.”

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2021-06-09T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-06-09T07:00:00.0000000Z

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